Well I’m back to poker, grind that it is. Working hard and some times uphill. Played the six handed game today but it was for naught. They called me down every step of the way. Did my best I believe. Rough day. Out – again 100 or so – from the money
Played until late Friday night and woke up Saturday and didn’t want to play. Too tired. Went home, got my buds and we hit the pool for the first time this year. Great fun. Then they packed bags and came back to the Rio with me and spent the night. Played the $1k today and just limped along. Two times my top two pair got bested by a set. Same guy. Frustrating. With so few starting chips you’ve got to get a decent hand and some chips to move forward. Tomorrow is the six handed event.
If we’re lucky, really lucky, someone comes along in our lives at a crucial juncture and guides us on the right path. My time was the spring semester of my junior year, I had transferred to Bolton High from ASH and had all of the “new” kid issues. My parents were divorced, my older brother had been expelled before graduation and I was lost.
Bonnie Toney took me in, under her wing, into her heart and made me a part of her family. It all started at the end of the school year when all the kids got together to celebrate school being out and there I was all alone. “What are you doing after school ends today?” Oh nothing I said. She thought that wouldn’t do and called her son Blake and told him I was coming along with his girlfriend and group after the end of school. I’m sure he groaned, but, as it turned out, not for long.
We all spent the day out on their boat and that was the end of Blake’s current girlfriend. I’ll never know if I was invited because she felt sorry for me or wanted a change in her son’s girlfriend, but either way it worked out.
From there started an anchoring I had never known in my life but had always wanted. Friday nights were spent playing cards and drinking soda, laughing and feeling safe. Weekends were at their camp. Blake and I went off to college together but when i decided to switch schools we broke up.
From college I went off to DC to start my career, staying in touch with the family. Penny taught me to write, filling in the blanks that were left from my erratic childhood. They dubbed me “Little Bit” short for Little Bit of Hellfire, a nickname which has stuck. When Blake was struck with an aneurysm and died so suddenly I got back to Alexandria as quickly as I could. What a terrible, awful tragedy. Blake was only 27, so incredibly young.
No matter where I was in the world working a campaign, I always made it to their house for Christmas. On one of those trips back we were talking and I had a chance to tell Bonnie thank you. “For what Little Bit?” she asked, genuinely surprised. “For believing in me Bonnie, for loving me and for always being there for me.” She just smiled and said “I love you.”
I have wondered more than I have ever said it what would have happened to me if she hadn’t come along. Everyone needs someone to believe in them, everyone needs a champion. Bonnie Toney was mine. She changed my life. Thank you Bonnie, always. Love, Little Bit
Played the $1,500 event today. 2400 players. Lasted to 1000 with little to work with. Happens. Sigh
Well what a run for my first event. 4,854 players started with $3k in chips. I had a tough time getting started but when I did, I really did. Started day 2 third in chips. Had aces cracked by queens which hurt but I climbed back. Started day three with 41 players and I was at the bottom of the pack with my chip stack. Managed a double up early with AQ vs a loose player who had the chips to gamble. Then I had JJ. Got pushed by another low stack who liked to shove with marginal hands. I called his shove. He tables tens. Board runs out 39867 which of course gave him a straight and put me out in 35th place for $15k. What can I say, played well and got unlucky. $1,500 event tomorrow at noon.
To those who know I do this to make a difference it’s nice to see some of it happening. Poker is a vehicle for my message of the racket we call cancer treatment in our country. I work hard, long, get kicked around, insulted, bad beated – but yet I get up again and go at it again. An out of the blue email this morning makes me feel like it is worthwhile. Thank you Barbara.
—— Sent from the Queen of Diamonds IPAD
